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PHOENIX – FEBRUARY 12: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars cracks a smile against the Western Conference All-Stars during the1995 NBA All-Star Game on February 12, 1995 at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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PHOENIX – FEBRUARY 12: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars cracks a smile against the Western Conference All-Stars during the1995 NBA All-Star Game on February 12, 1995 at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Although Shaquille O’Neal might be one of the greatest players in the NBA, he was not flawless. The biggest flaw in his game was his free throws. Shaq and his relationship with free throws was always rocky. He was so bad at free throws, teams started building their tactics around this.
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Interestingly enough, one of Shaq’s most memorable moments in the NBA involves him walking over to the free-throw line. During his time in the Phoenix Suns, Shaq ran off after just one throw! This left the fans in the stadium and his teammates baffled.
Shaquille O’Neal forgets he has free throws left
There is no denying Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA. Using his physicality and skills, Shaq dominated the entire league and went on to win 4 NBA titles.
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Miami Heat’s Shaquille O’Neal gets no love as he’s doubleteamed by Clippers’ Mikki Moore (right) and fouled by Bobby Simmons in the second period at Staples Center on Friday 1/14/2005. (Photo by Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Not only that, he has numerous individual accolades to his name. However, he was not without his flaws. One of the biggest flaws in his game was free throws.
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Shaq had a horrible free throw record, which the opposition used to their full advantage. In a hilarious event involving the free throw line and Shaq, he ran off after converting just one of his throws!
After a hearty laugh from the crowd, commentators, and even his own teammates, Shaq returned to take his second and final throw. Interestingly enough, despite his record in free throws, O’Neal managed to convert both of them.
What is ‘Hack-a-Shaq’?
Due to Shaquille O’Neal’s growing dominance in the league, the opposition teams had to come up with something. That’s when the Hack-a-Shaq tactic came into existence.
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In case you are lost, the tactic involves intentionally fouling the worst free thrower from the rival team. This way, there will be a lot of missed free throws.
If the name isn’t enough, the tactic was made popular in order to contain Shaq. Thanks to his huge frame, Shaq was able to penetrate defenses at his will. However, whenever he was fouled and forced to the free-throw line, rival teams took advantage.
Shaq averaged a free throw percentage of .527 only. Moreover, he averaged 9.3 free throw attempts per game while converting only 4.9 of them. (Source: basketballreference.com)
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Arunaditya Aima